The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-07-22
THE PRESIDENT.
He Takes Part in Centennial Celebration and
Tells What a President Should Be.

at a centennial celebration at Clinton,
New York, on the 18th, which was attend
ed by a vast crowd, the speeches occupied
over two hours and with the exception OF
that by President Cleveland, were chiefly
by persons OF local fame connected py
blood with the early settlers OF this place.
am inclined to content myself on this
occasion with an acknowledgment on be-
hall OF the people OF the United States Of
the compliment which you have paid to
the office which represents their sovereign
ty, but such an acknowledgment suggests
an idea which | cannot refrain from dwell
ing upon Tor q moment. That the office
OF president OF United States does repre-
sent the sovereignty OF 60,O00,OO0 OF peO-
pie is, to my nina, a statement full OF sol
emnlty, Tor tins sovereignty | conceive to
be the working act or enforcement OF the
divine gift OF man to govern himself and q
manifestation OF Gods plans concerning
the human race Though the struggle oil
pohtlcal parties to secure the inCumbency
OF this office, and the questionable methods
sometimes resorUed to for its possession
may not be akin with this idea;
and though the deceit praCticed to mislead
the people in their choice and its too Ire
quent influences on their suffrage may sur
prise us, these things should never lead us
astray in our estimate Of this exalted posi-
your fellow citizens, who may be chosen to
perform for time the duties of this high
place, should be badly selected, and though
the best attainable results may not be at
tanned by his administration, yet the ex-
acting watChfulness Of the people, freed
from the disturbing turmoil OF political OK
element, ought to prevent mischance to
the office which represents their sovereign.
ty and should reduce to minimum the
4 80 l..
means underestimate the Importance of
the
UTMOST CARE AND CIRCUMsP ECTION
in selection OF the incumbent. On the con:
trary, l believe there is no obligation oI
citizenship that demands more thought
and conscientious delbera tion than this;
but | am speaking OF the citizens duty to
the office and it's selected incumbent. This
duty is only performed when in the inter
est of the entire people, the full exercise OF
the powers of chief magistracy in insisted
on, and when for the peoples safety a due
regard for the limitations placed upon the
office is exactei. These things should be
enforced by the manifestation OF a calm
and enlightened public opinion. But this
should not be stimulated by the mad
clamor OF disappointed interest which
without regard for the general good or al
judgments. would degrade the
office by forcing compliance with
selfish demands. Ifyour president should
not be OF the people and one OF your fellow
citizens he would be utterly unfit for the
position, incapable of understanding the
people wants, and careless OF their desires.
That he is one of the people implies
that he is subject to human fraiity and
error; but he should be permitted to claim
but little toleration for mistakes. The
generosity OF his fellow citizens shoul d
alone decree how far good intentions should
excuse his shortcomings. Watch we'll,
then, this high office, the most precious
possession of American citizenship. De-
rnand for it the most complete devotion
on the part OF him to whose custody it
may be entrusted, and protect it not less
yigilantly from unworthy assaults from
without. Thus will you perform a sacred
duty to yourselves and to those who may
follow you in the enjoyment OF the freest
institutions which heaven has ever vouch-
safed to man.